Originally scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2009, operations at the new ¥12 billion plant are now expected to start in October 2010. Scheduled production capacity is 2700 tonnes a year. The plant will manufacture high-performance standard modulus carbon fibre tow (Pyrofil P330 Series), mainly for industrial uses.

Mitsubishi Rayon says that marketing and introduction of the new type of carbon fibre that it plans to produce at the new Otake facilities will continue based on production at Grafil Inc, its subsidiary in Sacramento, California, USA. Production at Grafil will be increased through 2009 to meet demand, ensuring continued supply to customers and enabling development of new applications for the P330 fibres to continue pending the Otake facilities coming onstream.

Mitsubishi reports that the Pyrofil P330 Series possesses the same properties as its TR50S/TRH50 high-strength carbon fibres, but with an increased filament count (50-60K). Compared to conventional small tow fibres, the new products are said to offer higher strength and modulus while maintaining the processability of small tow fibres. The P330 series is aimed at the production of large composite products.